Name: Easy Pico de Gallo
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 6 medium vine tomatoes, diced (about 4 cups); 1/2 white onion, diced (about 1 cup); 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped and loosely packed (about 1/3 cup); Juice of 1/2 fresh lime, squeezed (or lime juice); 1/4 tsp salt; Tortilla chips, for dipping

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Pico de Gallo in a Bowl with Tortilla Chips

Looking for an easy way to jazz up your tacos, quesadillas, or even scrambled eggs? Homemade pico de gallo is an excellent choice. This simple salsa can be whipped up in minutes and is a great way to use fresh tomatoes and herbs. Plus, it’s perfect for picnics and potlucks – just pack it in a container with some chips, and you’re good to go!

What does Pico de Gallo mean?

Most of us know that pico de gallo is a type of salsa, but what does it actually mean? Pico de gallo (Spanish) translates to ‘rooster’s bill’ or ‘rooster’s beak’ in English. Some say this is because this dip was eaten with the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster’s beak. But others believe it’s because the chopped ingredients resemble bird feed. Both are just theories from our understanding.

This tomato salsa can also be called salsa fresca (fresh sauce), salsa cruda (raw salsa), and salsa bandera (flag salsa).

What is the difference between salsa and pico de gallo?

Salsa and pico de gallo are both tomato-based sauces that are made with tomatoes, onions, and peppers. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Texture: salsa is generally smoother in texture, while pico de gallo is chunkier. Although you can have chunky salsa, it is normally saucy.
Number of ingredients: salsa has a wider range of ingredients, including tomatoes, onions, serrano peppers, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, spices, and sometimes vinegar. Pico de gallo, on the other hand, is typically made with just fresh tomatoes, onions, lime juice, and cilantro. As a result, salsa is generally more flavorful compared to pico de gallo.

What is in Pico de Gallo?

In our opinion, the best thing about making pico de gallo is that it’s made using all fresh ingredients–here is a simple list of ingredients. Don’t forget the tortilla chips for taste-testing!

Ingredients

Fresh tomatoes (roma or vine)
White onion
Fresh limes (or lime juice)
Fresh cilantro
Salt

For Dipping

Tortilla chips

Tomatoes, Lime, Onion, Cilantro, and Salt on White Marble Countertop

Tomatoes: we often make this recipe with vine tomatoes, although Roma tomatoes are an excellent option too. Romas are said to create less juice, making the pico less watery. Some people even use grape or cherry tomatoes.

Onions: white or yellow onions are the best options, in our opinion. You can use red onions, but they will have a stronger taste.

Additional ingredients: some other recipes add fresh garlic, fresh jalapenos, serrano pepper, chili powder, diced avocado, etc. Feel free to experiment. (We like to keep it simple with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime, and salt. It’s so simple and delicious!)

Equipment / Supplies

Here are the kitchen tools we use to make this recipe.

Cutting board
Serrated knife (tomatoes)
Chef’s knife (cilantro)
Medium mixing bowl and spo o n

✨ Pro tip: speed up this recipe even more – swap the cutting board and knives for a vegetable chopper. Use the dicer blades.

Pico de Gallo Closeup (left) Pico in Bowl with Tortilla Chips (right)

How to Make Homemade Pico de Gallo

Ready to get started? Read on for the recipe instructions and tips.

Start by washing all of your produce. Then dice tomatoes using a cutting board and knife. We find a serrated knife works well and prevents squishing the tomatoes. If your tomatoes are really juicy, you’ll want to drain them. Some choose to spoon out the seeds before cutting to cut down on excess liquid.

Chopping Tomatoes with Knife on Wooden Cutting Board

Next, peel and dice the onion into pieces similar in size to the tomatoes.

Chopping White Onion with Knife on Wooden Cutting Board

Cut the long stems from the bunch of fresh cilantro. Then finely chop the remaining cilantro leaves. A chef’s knife works well for this.

Chopping Cilantro with Knife on Wooden Cutting Board

Half a fresh lime and squeeze the lime juice over the diced tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. Then sprinkle with salt.

Adding Salt to Pico de Gallo in Glass Bowl

Finally, stir until all the ingredients are mixed well. And there you have it – beautiful, fresh pico de gallo.

Stirring Pico de Gallo in Glass Bowl with Spoon

We like to chill pico for several hours before serving, but you can enjoy it right away if desired.

Fresh Pico de Gallo in Bowl with Circle of Tortilla Chips Around It on White Marble Surface

Be sure to store leftovers in the fridge in an air-tight container for the best results.

Fresh Pico de Gallo in Bowl with Circle of Tortilla Chips Around It on White Napkin with Black Stripes

Ways to Eat Pico de Gallo

In addition to enjoying this fresh salsa with tortilla chips, there are endless ways to use fresh pico. Here are a few of our favorite foods we love to top with pico de gallo.

Ground beef or carne asada tacos
Chicken, pork, or fish tacos
Nachos
Burritos
Quesadillas
Fajitas
Burgers
Hot dogs
Brats (see our huge list of brat topping ideas)
Baked potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes
Quinoa
Mexican rice
Black beans
Mac and cheese
Scrambled eggs

🌮 45+ tasty taco sides – check out our side ideas list here.

Related Questions

Here you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about pico de gallo.

How long does pico de gallo last in the fridge?

Generally speaking, pico de gallo made with fresh ingredients will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container. If you want your pico to last a bit longer, you can always freeze it. Frozen pico de gallo will last for several months. But keep in mind it may not have the same texture when you thaw it out.

Scooping a Chip with Pico de Gallo with Bowl of Pico, Tortilla Chips, and Lime in the Background

How many calories are in pico de gallo?

While the ingredients may vary depending on the recipe, pico de gallo is typically low in calories. One-half cup of pico de gallo has about 21 calories, and most of those calories come from the tomatoes. Pico de gallo is also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. While it is not a significant source of protein or fat, pico de gallo can be a healthy addition to any diet. And because it is so flavorful, you may find that you don’t need to add any extra salt or seasoning.

Where can I find pico de gallo in store?

While you can make fresh pico de gallo at home, it’s also easy to find in stores. Look for it in the refrigerated section near the fresh produce. Pico de gallo is usually sold in small plastic containers alongside fresh guacamole and salsas. Choose pico de gallo that looks fresh and colorful, and be sure to check the expiration date before buying.

Closeup of Pico de Gallo in Bowl with Tortilla Chips

What kind of onion should I use for pico de gallo?

While you can use any type of onion in your pico de gallo—yellow or white onions are typically preferred because they have a milder flavor and won’t overwhelm the other ingredients. If you prefer a more robust flavor, you can use red onions instead.

How can I make pico de gallo spicy?

There are a few different ways that you can make pico de gallo spicy. One option is to add more spicy peppers to the mix. Jalapeños, serranos, and habaneros will all give the pico de gallo a nice kick. Another way to make it spicy is to add some extra chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, or other spicy seasonings. Finally, you can add a hot sauce such as Tabasco or Cholula. Just be careful not to add too much, as it can quickly become too spicy to enjoy. Experiment until you find the perfect balance of spices for your taste buds.

Easy Pico de Gallo

Print Recipe

Delicious homemade pico de gallo with only 6 fresh ingredients! Perfect to pair with tortilla chips or use as a topping on tacos, burritos, scrambled eggs – you name it.

Total Time: 15 minutes